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Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has been used for a couple of decades in applications such as satellite imaging, air reconnaissance and other not overly price sensitive markets. Classical Hyperspectral imaging cameras use prisms or grating as dispersive elements. These cameras are bulky, sensitive to misalignment and very expensive. The advent of alternative approaches makes HSI attractive for volume markets or even consumer products, for example cancer detection, precision farming, food testing in supermarkets and many more.

Delta Optical Thin Film A/S develops and manufactures custom Linear Variable Bandpass Filters (LVBPF) for mid-size and full-frame CCD/CMOS sensors (e.g. 25mm x 25mm or 24mm x 36mm). These filters offer very high transmission and are fully blocked in the light sensitive wavelength range of silicon-based detectors (200nm to 1150nm). The combination of LVBPFs with silicon detectors allows the design of very compact, robust and affordable HSI detectors that offer several advantages and benefits over conventional approaches:

Huge aperture compared to grating and prism

Higher transmission than grating and prism

Short measurement time

High suppression of stray light

Excellent signal to noise ratio

Delta Optical Thin Film A/S welcomes requests for custom designed Linear Variable Bandpass Filters. Available for immediate testing are filters with the following specifications:

The sizes are given as height x length, where height is perpendicular to the wavelength gradient and length is along the wavelength gradient. The filters can be diced to smaller sizes.

About Delta Optical Thin Film A/S

Delta Optical Thin Film A/S (www.deltaopticalthinfilm.com) is the leading supplier of advanced, high performance linear variable filters commonly used in a variety of biomedical imaging applications including fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, monochromators and micro-plate readers among others.

Delta Optical Thin Film A/S offers a wide range of high efficiency durable ultra-hard coated filters that have set the standard for high performance and precise operation. With its unique design tools and decades of experience, Delta is able to provide highly competitive standard filters and customized filters and optical components tailored to customers’ specific applications.

Three leading scientists in the field of hyperspectral imaging will be speaking at HSI 2016, each talking on subjects that highlight growth areas of interest and applications for hyperspectral technology.

The conference is opened by Martin Whitworth from Campden BRI (UK), an organisation deeply involved in research and support to the food industry. His talk is entitled “Mapping composition in food samples by NIR hyperspectral imaging” and follows, amongst others, more papers on food applications including; early detection of fungal infection in strawberry fruits, rapid detection and visualization of organic spelt flour adulteration and the differentiation of pathogenic bacteria.

In the second session attendees can hear how neurosurgeons are now using hyperspectral imaging in the fight against cancer, it assists in the identification of healthy brain tissue to avoid unnecessary injury during operations to remove tumours. Keynote speaker Dr Himar Fabelo from the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria will be talking about the “The HELICoiD project: A comprehensive framework for real-time detection of human brain tumours using hyperspectral images”. He has notably been part of a team who have developed the use of hyperspectral images to benefit neurosurgeons.

Visiting from the Center for Imaging Science, Rochester Institute of Technology in the USA, is Professor Vodacek a specialist in remote sensing. He will be speaking on the HSI activities at their centre and giving insight into phenomenology, algorithms, modeling and simulation and applications for hyperspectral imaging.

The conference comprises 24 speakers over the two days and includes a Poster Session which will be a chance to meet early career scientists who are researching novel and exciting new techniques and unique applications. A new addition to the conference is an Industrial Session which includes commercial suppliers of hyperspectral technology who have the practical experience of applying the technology to the production line and for environmental and other innovative applications.

This conference is free-of-charge for attendees which is unusual for an international conference of this nature. It’s made possible by sponsors Headwall Photonics, LOT QuantumDesign, a company who represents Specim in the UK and Xmark Media who are the organisers of the larger Enlighten Conference (9 programmes, 70+ speakers) and PHOTONEX (100+ exhibitors).

Dr Jinchang Ren of the Hyperspectral Imaging Centre at University of Strathclyde and conference co-chair comments,

“This biennial conference is now a key feature in the academic diary for UK scientists and increasingly draws an international audience”, he adds “I’m excited about what I will learn and am thoroughly looking forward to extending the connections our centre has with specialists around the world.”

Spectral Imaging Ltd “Specim” – a manufacturer of hyperspectral cameras and systems has today announced an exciting new business relationship with the highly regarded and well renowned UK distributor “LOT-QuantumDesign Ltd.”

‘I am happy to welcome LOT-QD UK to the SPECIM family and look forward to strengthening our market position in the UK and Ireland. With this partnership our customers will get high class support and service’, says Mikko Kannelsuo Sales & Marketing Director, SPECIM Spectral Imagining Ltd.

Ben Parker, UK Spectroscopy Group Manager for LOT-QuantumDesign adds ‘We are excited and privileged to be chosen as distributors for Specim in the UK and Ireland. This will not onlyallow our existing customer base access to quality hyperspectral imaging equipment from a marketleading manufacturer but reinforces our position as the number one distributor for high-end imaging and spectroscopy instrumentation throughout Europe.’

Based in Oulu, Finland, Specim is a pioneer and a global leader in the hyperspectral imaging industry and are at the forefront with new technological solutions applied to hyperspectral imaging. Their extensive expertise in optical engineering and in-depth hyperspectral knowledge are unmatched. With more than 5000 spectrographs, hyperspectral imagers and systems delivered and in daily use, SPECIM continues to serve their customers by recognizing and meeting their needs. An increasing number of colour and chemical imaging solutions in industrial sorting machines, quality control, geological mineral analysis and forensics employ SPECIM’s hyperspectral cameras. World class research, remote sensing, and defense organizations are relying on SPECIM quality when performance and reliability matters.

LOT-QuantumDesign are a leading European distributor of high-tech instrumentation and consumables for scientific, academic and industrial research. Their product range comprises of scientific light sources and optics, components, systems for life sciences, material characterization, cryotechnology, spectroscopy and imaging.

For further information please call Ben Parker at LOT-Quantum Design on 01372 378822 or email at ben@lot-qd.co.uk.

Pro-Lite Technology Ltd is pleased to confirm they will be attending the HSI 2016 conference at Ricoh Arena in October. We will be demonstrating the latest in the range of full frame, non-scanning, real-time imaging spectrometers from Cubert GmbH. This range includes multi- and hyper-spectral imagers used in a wide range of applications such as forensics, healthcare & medical imaging, food science and in UAV aerial mapping for agriculture, geology & defence. All the cameras provide clean spectral images out of the box without any moving parts, with no need for “push-broom” scanning or image combination following sequential filter shifts.

Cubert’s new Butterfly X2 imager combines two filter array sensors optically overlaid to cover the VIS-NIR wavelength range. The mosaic filters provide 41 spectral bands in the range of 470 to 1000nm creating full spectral cubes of 2000 x 1000 pixels x 41 wavebands at video rate speeds. The intelligent camera platform takes care of data acquisition, data fusion, storage and processing. This can then be combined with the industry leading Cube-Pilot spectral imaging software for data capturing and analysis.

Xmark Media the organisers of Photonex 2016, the UK’s showcase photonics conference & exhibition announce the second biennial conference on hyperspectral imaging and applications. This FREE-to-attend conference will be held on Wednesday & Thursday 12th and 13th October as part of the growing two-day event at the visitor-friendly Ricoh Arena in Coventry.

Following on from a successful event in 2014 where leading scientists from around the world discussed developments in hyperspectral imaging and new applications, this now biennial conference is announced and will re-convene on Wednesday 12th & Thursday 13th October 2016.

Listening to the first speaker, Tong Qiao, from the University of Strathclyde at the 2014 conference.

In the last 12 months, significant developments have taken place in the use of hyperspectral imaging in food industry and in hospitals for cancer treatment and surgery. It is appropriate that the technical programme committee is joined this year by Dr Aoife Gowen of University College Dublin who has extensive experience in the use of hyperspectral imaging in the examination of food stuffs. Additionally Dr Neil Clancy steps up into a role of programme organisation. He works at the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London and his research activities are centred on the development of optical technologies such as how hyperspectral imaging may be used in minimally invasive diagnosis and surgery

Professor Stephen Marshall of the Hyperspectral Imaging Centre at the University of Strathclyde comments on the event, “The conference attendees benefit from the co-location with the PHOTONEX which gives added reason for attendance. A complete review of academic research and commercial instrumentation in just two days is the intention.”

The aim of the technical committee is to attract the submission of an excellent calibre of academic and application related papers to be combined with selected invited guest speakers to create an impressive conference programme.

The event runs under the umbrella of the Enlighten Conference alongside the Photonex 2016 exhibition. Potential conference presenters should visit the website site www.hsi2016.com where they can find more details and can register to attend.

Headwall is announcing the availability of a new hyperspectral imager targeting very high resolution spectral measurements of 0.1 nm over specific spectral ranges which yield indicators of vegetative fluorescence to measure plant health. The ability of the new High Resolution Hyperspec instrument to analyze chlorophyll fluorescence emissions at extremely high resolution and high throughput gives remote sensing researchers and precision agriculturalists exceptionally valuable data from which to make environmental decisions. The new instrument is smaller, lighter, and more affordable than any other commercially available products and is optimized with robust packaging for airborne and satellite deployment.

“Our customers have been asking us for a high resolution hyperspectral imager targeting the small spectral bandpath ranges for use in extracting useful data with respect to chlorophyll fluorescence,” said Headwall’s CEO David Bannon. “Because remote sensing and the global crop industry is a multi-billion-dollar one, plant heath and physiology determined through hyperspectral imaging is a key investment for this market.” Water deficit is a major leading indicator of crops under distress, and there is a scientific link between this and chlorophyll fluorescence emissions.

The new sensor is based on Headwall’s all-reflective concentric optical design that uses very precise, very high diffraction-efficiency gratings for simultaneous high spatial and spectral resolution of < 0.1nm across the spectral range of the instrument. High efficiency, low stray light, and minimized smile and keystone distortion are fundamental to this design approach. Headwall’s all-reflective approach also means no transmissive optics, which makes the overall package not only more robust for space applications but lighter as well.

In extending technological leadership within the remote sensing market, Headwall announced availability of its new Nano-Hyperspec sensor for commercial UAV deployment. The low-cost hyperspectral sensor operates in the VNIR (400-1000nm) spectral range and includes onboard data processing and storage to minimize size, weight, and power constraints inherent with small, hand-launched UAVs.

The VNIR sensor features 640 spatial bands and 270 spectral bands at a resolution of 2-3 nm. The frame rate of the Nano-Hyperspec is over 300 frames per second; usable data storage capacity is 480GB. Nano-Hyperspec is available in two options:

“We designed Nano-Hyperspec to complement our performance-leading Hyperspec line of sensors and the growing market for small, low-cost, hand-launched UAVs,” explained Headwall CEO David Bannon. “The real innovation is the integration of the Nano-Hyperspec optical sensor and data processing module,” he noted. The optional GPS/IMU provides pinpoint correlation between actual terrain coordinates and hyperspectral data for a completely ortho-rectified hyperspectral data set. This functionality is just one of the many capabilities of Headwall’s Hyperspec III software.

The past 5 years have seen an increase in the use of UAV platforms for innovative applications. High altitude UAV platforms offer opportunities for innovative atmospheric science while small light weight aircrafts are ideal for monitoring of crops, coastal algal blooms and large areas of vegetation.

Due to the growing demand in Hyperspectral cameras for airborne use Mapping solutions has partnered up with leading manufacturers to bring our customers the best possible solutions for their Remote sensing and GIS needs. Our partners include:

HySpex

The HySpex line of hyperspectral cameras are a result of the knowledge and experience accumulated through more than a decade of research activities in the field of imaging spectroscopy. The design is flexible and can cover a wide range of applications including Airborne, Military, Field, Laboratory and Agriculture applications.

Cubert

The Cubert UHD Snapshot Hyperspectral line provides the first of its kind full frame, non-scanning, real time imaging spectrometers. The technology combines the simplicity of a point-and-shoot camera with the precision of hyperspectral imaging. This unique system also has real time hyperspectral video capabilities.

BaySpec

BaySpec’s Handheld OCI Snapshot Hyperspectral & Multispectral Imagers bring for the first time high performance imaging in a handheld form factor weighing only 450 g. The Imagers can acquire full, continuous visible-near infrared (VNIR) data with simple point-and-shoot operation. The OCI camera series also comes in a push broom format and both can be integrated to lightweight UAVs.

About Mapping Solutions Ltd.

Mapping Solutions Ltd. is specialised in the field of ground and airborne Remote Sensing, particularly in Optical & Thermal Hyperspectral, LiDAR data acquisition, processing and spectral analysis and is dedicated to bringing you an effective solution for your entire GIS and Remote Sensing projects. The company has been established for over 10 years in the UK, allowing us to have an intimate understanding of the technologies and their applications we are dedicated to bringing complete solutions and services to our clients in the field of remote sensing as well as being flexible and innovative.

Mapping Solutions Ltd. offers our clients a complimenting wide range of products and services that include a large variety of remote sensing hardware, software and consultation to provide our clients the best solutions for their applications.

Responding to strong demand for a versatile wideband hyperspectral sensor covering from 400nm to 2500nm, Headwall has introduced its VNIR-SWIR sensor package that features co-registered pixels for outstanding spectral fidelity across the entire range. The package is light (less than 30 pounds [13.6kg]) and small (approximately 15” x 15” x 8” [381mm x 381mm x 203mm]) for use aboard a range of airborne platforms.

VNIR and SWIR pixel co-registration plus aberration-cor­rected optics yields very high spectral and spatial resolution with repeatable measurement accuracy. With diffractive optics spe­cifically designed and manufactured by Headwall, the hyperspectral sensor contains no transmissive optical elements or prisms that contribute to image aberrations in the form of stray light and cross-talk. Adding to image quality is the sensor’s very wide field of view and high signal-to-noise (SNR). Headwall has accomplished this by combining the high diffraction ef­ficiency for the VNIR and SWIR spectral regions coupled with very high quantum efficiency of the detector subsystems.

“Our remote-sensing customers often need to cover both the VNIR and SWIR range but don’t have the payload capacity to deploy two individual sensors and separate data systems,” said Headwall CEO David Bannon. “We developed this co-boresighted and co-registered VNIR-SWIR sensor to meet those needs affordably while keeping size and weight low.”

Headwall’s VNIR-SWIR sensor is available for delivery approximately 8 weeks after receipt of order.

About Headwall Photonics

Headwall Photonics is the leading designer and manufacturer of imaging sensors and spectral instrumentation for industrial, commercial, and government markets. Headwall’s high performance spectrometers, spectral engines, and high performance diffractive optics have been selected by OEM and end-user customers around the world for use in critical application environments. As a pioneer in the development of hyperspectral sensors and imaging spectrometers, Headwall enjoys a market leadership position through the design and manufacture of patented spectral instrumentation that is customized for application-specific performance.

Photonex incorporates a number of branded, focus areas to highlight specialist technology areas in the broad world of photonics. Vision UK, highlights the vision and imaging aspects of the event for machine vision and industrial applications. Innovation Live! supports innovation and is supported by the UK’s knowledge Transfer Network. Vacuum Expo brings thin film technologies in abundance for optical, electronic and industrial applications. Now HSI, which has previously been held in Strathclyde and Rome, joins the event to highlight this significant growth area in photonics.

Enquiries and interest are coming from all over the world with the farthest participating organisation committed to attend all the way from Australia. NICTA will be demonstrating Scyllarus – a highly-optimized, state of the art HSI engine that simplifies & streamlines hyperspectral imaging.

NICTA is Australia’s largest publicly-funded ICT research organization & develops technologies that generates economic, social and environmental benefits; collaborates with industry; creates new companies and provides new talent to the ICT sector organisation.